Used car guide

2011 Kia Sportage: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Kia Sportages, from 7,110 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,110MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
7,800typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Kia Sportages than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
    Kia Sportage
    18.7% All 2011 cars
    10.8%
    Rough price £100–£300

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Ball joint2× usual
    Kia Sportage
    12.1% All 2011 cars
    6.1%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Brake pads1.6× usual
    Kia Sportage
    15.3% All 2011 cars
    9.4%
    Rough price £80–£180

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.4× usual
    Kia Sportage
    9.2% All 2011 cars
    3.8%
    Rough price £50–£150

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.5% here, against 6.1% of all 2011 cars. Position lamp: 0.4% here, against 5.8% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Kia Sportage MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    37% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    35% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    25% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    8% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
202116,864Tyres 27%
202011,848Tyres 29%
201931,730Tyres 29%
201833,669Tyres 31%
201736,400Tyres 31%
201636,611Tyres 31%
201520,623Tyres 33%
201418,679Brakes 35%
201317,284Suspension 44%
201212,090Suspension 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Kia Sportages registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score